How does the yak's thoracic cavity assist in high-altitude survival?
Answer
It is notably deep, allowing for larger heart and lungs to maximize oxygen uptake
A critical physiological adaptation for surviving in environments where oxygen saturation is low, such as the Himalayas, involves the internal respiratory and circulatory system. The yak possesses a thoracic cavity—the area housing the heart and lungs—that is remarkably deep relative to its body size. This increased depth accommodates larger organs, specifically enabling the heart and lungs to be larger in proportion to the animal. This anatomical arrangement is crucial for maximizing the efficiency of oxygen uptake from the thin air, a necessary measure for sustaining life and energy at extreme altitudes.
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